Failing to Pass Pension Reform Will Hurt State Recruitment, Retention

by Kristina Rasmussen Echoing the sentiments of former Gov. Jim Edgar, state rep Daniel Biss made the argument that pension reform will hurt state government employee recruitment in a committee hearing yesterday. From the Tribune’s editorial: Then there’s Daniel Biss, a freshman Democrat from Evanston. In blather-rich questions and a pre-vote soliloquy, he illogically twisted his proclaimed...

by Kristina Rasmussen

Echoing the sentiments of former Gov. Jim Edgar, state rep Daniel Biss made the argument that pension reform will hurt state government employee recruitment in a committee hearing yesterday. From the Tribune’s editorial:

Then there’s Daniel Biss, a freshman Democrat from Evanston. In blather-rich questions and a pre-vote soliloquy, he illogically twisted his proclaimed belief in free markets into a fear that workers will abandon public employment if their pension plan changes. (Mr. Biss, next time do your homework. Governments have high retention rates because of the job security and benefits they offer to comparatively risk-averse employees. With these reforms, Illinois’ benefits package still would trounce most private-sector packages.)

As we pointed out last week, voluntary turnover rates among state employees would need to quintupleto match comparable nationwide private sector levels. It’s highly unlikely that pension reform will cause a mass exodus from state employment, given the other sweet perks that come along with the job (extra time off, early retirement, great benefits, the list goes on).

Ultimately, not reforming the bankrupt pension system and addressing its drain on state operating funds may be the biggest threat to state recruitment efforts. No one wants a job where their paycheck or their pension check bounces due to insufficient funds.